Robert Dougherty 
Work will see the creation of 248 single living accommodation rooms, in addition to 30 service family accommodation homes, as well as specialist modern facilities built for the Army’s cyber regiment in Gloucestershire.
The investment will provide new infrastructure at Duke of Gloucester Barracks in Gloucestershire for 13 Signal Regiment, who deliver defensive cyber operations for the Army. The work will include brand new technical and training buildings for personnel, as well as modern accommodation.
The new barracks will house the Army’s Cyber, Information and Security Operations Centre, which will protect networks from cyber threats both at home and overseas on exercises and operations.
“Our Strategic Defence Review highlights how the cyber and electromagnetic domain are at the heart of modern warfare,” UK Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard said.
“We are making this significant investment to enhance the Army’s cyber capabilities while delivering an improved lived experience for service personnel, alongside new homes for service families.
“Creating dozens of jobs, the work will also back local industry and demonstrates defence as an engine for growth.”
The Strategic Defence Review highlights how the cyber and electromagnetic domain are at the heart of modern warfare, following more than 90,000 attacks on the UK’s military networks from adversaries in the last two years alone. Delivering on the SDR, the UK is also creating a new cyber and electromagnetic command to put the UK at the forefront of cyber operations.
The newly announced contract will create 92 jobs, which will include opportunities for ex-military and 32 apprenticeships, with structured training programs, helping boost defence as an engine for growth.
Awarded to the British company Bovis by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, the work will deliver specialist technical accommodation and training facilities, 248 single living accommodation bedspaces, as well as 30 new service family accommodation homes, with additional refurbishment of existing military homes at the site.
Construction will start this year, with completion scheduled in 2030, to support the regiment’s move to the barracks.
The contract supports the local economy, businesses and communities with 25 per cent of spending going to businesses within 50 miles of the site, 25 per cent of the onsite workforce employed locally, 40 per cent of offsite manufacturing within 40 miles of the site, and 25 per cent of spending to go to small and medium enterprises.
“Investment in new infrastructure at Duke of Gloucester Barracks will enable the growth of the Army’s cyber capability and enhance operational readiness,” said Major General AJ Smith CBE, director of basing and infrastructure and senior responsible owner for the DEO Army Program.
“This project is a great example of our ongoing effort to modernise our estate, improve the environments where our people live, work and train, and provide the facilities they need to carry out their vital roles for UK Defence.”